History Revisited -- May 8 2003

Four years ago today was a day in my life I will not forget. Lets take a look at what happened that day.

Fast Facts about the May 8, 2003 Oklahoma City Tornado

• The tornado was first reported by a spotter on the west side of I-35 at Hwy. 37 in Moore, near the intersection of Santa Fe Ave. and 149th St. at about 5:10 p.m. It then tracked across I-35 at 12th St., through south Oklahoma City, across I-240 at Sooner Road, across Tinker Air Force Base, across I-40 into SE Midwest City, and into Choctaw.
• Approximately 21 minute lead time for Moore in Cleveland County and approximately 30 minute lead time for Oklahoma County.
• Preliminary estimates indicate the tornado path was about 19 miles long.
  The tornado outbreak was forecast several days in advance.
• The NWS Forecast Office issued a regional weather discussion at 4 p.m. that specifically mentioned the risk for severe storms in the Oklahoma City metro area between 4:30 and 6 p.m.

The devastation of The May 8, 2003 F4 tornado can be seen below.




But lets get to the real story, it was about 4:30 pm on 5-8-03 and I was about to leave OKC on my way to Las Vegas for a short 2 day trip, I hadn't eaten and decided that to stop at Chili's to grab a quick bite and drink before my 6:30 flight. If all went according to plan the plane would touchdown in Vegas at 10:00 the Limo Driver said he would be at baggage claim to pick me up and I would still meet my agenda with a 11:59 deadline. But mother nature had her own agenda and a Tornado threaten to ruin my plans for this trip. When the Parking Shuttle driver pulled into Will Rogers World Airport the Sirens were wailing. A F4 Tornado had touchdown only a few miles north of the airport and service had been grounded temporarily.

But there still might be hope for this trip. As long as the airport didn't loose power, there was a small window that my flight could make, granted I would have to hurry to make my connection Phoenix but there was hope. If ever I had to be somewhere it was Vegas tonight, because I had date with destiny that night I was finally going to collect on the Biggest and Best Gamble I had ever taken or will ever take. Yes 4 years ago today I married the love of my life in a Limo at Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. You see she and I took a gamble and fate brought together through the online site kiss.com . We both had gambled and lost at love before and we both afraid to "Rebuy" but we did and together we have won the biggest jackpot ever.

Cyndi, I love you and I thank God for you everyday. Even though our Wedding Day started out stormy we found our Rainbow in Vegas